Chemical Wood Pulp Coated Cardboard Paper (2m² or more)
CN → US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4811512020 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4811512040 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4811516000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4811512040 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4811512020 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
📄 Chemical Wood Pulp Coated Cardboard Paper (≥ 2m²)
🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Clearance Strategy
📌 1. Product Definition and Classification: Do You Really Understand "Coated Cardboard"?
Chemical Wood Pulp Coated Cardboard Paper, specifically in sizes of 2m² or larger, is a vital raw material in the packaging industry. In international trade, it is strictly defined by its material composition (chemical wood pulp), processing method (coated/plastic-covered), and physical dimensions.
For goods meeting the criteria of ≥ 2m², the classification depends heavily on: * Weight: Is it heavier than 150 g/m²? * Thickness: Is it ≥ 0.3 mm? * Surface: Is it bleached?
⚠️ Key Distinction:
- If the paper is coated with plastics (excluding adhesives), bleached, weighs > 150 g/m², and has a thickness of ≥ 0.3 mm, it falls under specific sub-headings of 4811.
- Dimensions matter: Rolls wider than 15 cm or sheets where one side > 36 cm and the other > 15 cm are subject to specific coding.
📦 2. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority)
Based on the provided data, the product falls under Heading 4811. Here are the specific codes and their descriptions:
| HS Code | Product Description | Application Scenario | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
4811.51.20.20 |
Folding Carton Stock | High-end packaging boxes, cosmetic boxes, medical packaging | Bleached, >150g/m², ≥0.3mm thick, coated with plastic |
4811.51.20.40 |
Base Stock for Packaging | General packaging materials, corrugated board base layers | Bleached, >150g/m², ≥0.3mm thick, coated with plastic |
🔍 Critical Notes:
- Both codes apply to bleached paperboard coated with plastics.
- The distinction between20(Folding Carton) and40(Base Stock) often depends on the final intended use declared by the importer, though the physical specs are identical.
- Must meet: Thickness ≥ 0.3 mm, Weight > 150 g/m², Width > 15 cm (rolls) or Side 1 > 36 cm & Side 2 > 15 cm (sheets).
💰 3. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Additional Duties)
✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Country of Origin: China (CN) (Assumed based on "Additional Tariff" context in data)
✅ Effective Date: Current (Subject to US Trade Policy)
🎯 1. 4811.51.20.20 —— Folding Carton Stock
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff Rate | 0.0% (Ad Valorem) |
| Additional Tariff (Section 301) | +25.0% |
| Total Tax Rate | 25.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 25% |
| De Minimis Eligibility | ❌ No (Deny de minimis) |
| Legal Basis | USHTS 4811.51.20.20 + Section 301 Additional Duties |
📌 Explanation:
- Although the base duty is 0%, the 25% additional tariff is applied due to trade restrictions on Chinese-origin goods under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
- This makes the total landed cost significantly higher. Importers must account for this 25% surcharge in their pricing models.
🎯 2. 4811.51.20.40 —— Base Stock for Packaging
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff Rate | 0.0% (Ad Valorem) |
| Additional Tariff (Section 301) | +25.0% |
| Total Tax Rate | 25.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 25% |
| De Minimis Eligibility | ❌ No (Deny de minimis) |
| Legal Basis | USHTS 4811.51.20.40 + Section 301 Additional Duties |
📌 Note:
- Identical tariff treatment to Folding Carton Stock.
- The 25% additional duty applies uniformly to both sub-codes under the current US trade policy for these paper products from China.
🛠️ 4. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Pitfall Avoidance Guide)
✅ 1. Required Documentation Checklist (No Exceptions)
| Document | Must Provide | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Product Specification Sheet | ✔️ | Must clearly state: Weight (g/m²), Thickness (mm), Coating Material (Plastic type), Bleached status. |
| ✅ Commercial Invoice | ✔️ | Must specify: "Chemical Wood Pulp Paper, Coated, Bleached, ≥0.3mm thick." |
| ✅ Packing List | ✔️ | Detail roll width/length or sheet dimensions to prove they exceed 15cm/36cm thresholds. |
| ✅ Certificate of Origin | ✔️ | Crucial for determining origin-based duties (e.g., if shipped from Vietnam, different rules may apply). |
| ✅ Proof of Plastic Coating | ✔️ | Lab report or manufacturer declaration confirming the coating is plastic (not adhesive) to justify HTS 4811.51. |
✅ 2. Declaration Tips (Key Rules)
🔥 "Measure Twice, Declare Once! Thickness is King!"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Wrong Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness < 0.3 mm | Do not use 4811.51.20.xx; seek lower sub-code | Using 4811.51.20.xx → Audit Risk |
| Weight ≤ 150 g/m² | Do not use 4811.51.20.xx; check other sub-headings | Using 4811.51.20.xx → Incorrect Classification |
| Unbleached Paper | Do not use 4811.51.20.xx (Bleached only); check 4811.59.xx | Using Bleached code for Unbleached → Penalty |
| Sheet Size Small | If width ≤ 15cm and sides ≤ 36/15cm, exclude from this code | Forcing large-size code for small sheets → Rejection |
✅ 3. Special Situations
| Situation | Handling Advice |
|---|---|
| OEM Custom Packaging Paper | Provide end-use declaration. If clearly for "Folding Carton," use 4811.51.20.20. If general base stock, use 4811.51.20.40. |
| Mixed Rolls | Ensure all rolls in the shipment meet the ≥0.3mm thickness criteria. Mixed batches may lead to disputes. |
| Plastic vs. Adhesive | Clarify that the coating is plastic, not adhesive. Adhesive-coated papers may fall under different headings (e.g., 4811.40). |
| Transshipment | If shipped from a third country (e.g., Malaysia), ensure the Certificate of Origin proves non-Chinese origin to avoid the 25% tariff. |
🌍 5. Global Market Clearance Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff (CN Origin) | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | 4811.51.20.20/40 |
25% (Add. Duty) | None Specific | High tariff burden; plan inventory accordingly. |
| 🇨🇳 China | 4811.51.20.20/40 |
~0-5% (MFN) | None | Low duty for domestic/imported paper. |
| 🇪🇺 EU | 4811.51.20 |
Varies (Often 0-2%) | REACH Compliance | Plastic coating may require REACH registration for substances of very high concern. |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 4811.51.20 |
~0-3% | JIS Standards | Check for Japanese Industrial Standards compliance. |
📌 Conclusion:
- USA imposes a 25% additional tariff, making it the most expensive market for this product.
- EU & Japan generally have lower base tariffs but may require stricter environmental certifications (REACH/JIS).
- Supply Chain Strategy: Consider sourcing from or routing through countries with favorable trade agreements (e.g., ASEAN nations) to mitigate US tariffs.
📌 6. Common Errors & Pitfall Guide (Lessons Learned)
❌ Error 1: Misjudging Thickness
👉 Consequence: Declaring 0.25mm paper as 0.3mm+ → Customs Audit & Back Taxes + Fines!
❌ Error 2: Ignoring "Bleached" Status
👉 Consequence: Unbleached paper declared as Bleached → Wrong HS Code → 0% vs 25% Risk
❌ Error 3: Incorrect Dimension Declaration
👉 Consequence: Sheets too small but declared as large → Invalid Classification → Shipment Delay
❌ Error 4: Confusing Plastic Coating with Adhesive
👉 Consequence: Adhesive-coated paper misclassified → Different Tariff Line → Penalty
✅ Correct Practice:
"Chemical Wood Pulp Paper, Bleached, Coated with Polyethylene, Weight 180g/m², Thickness 0.35mm, Roll Width 2m, for Packaging Use"
🎯 7. Conclusion: Precise Classification, Lower Costs!
🎯 Remember the Mantra:
🔹 "Thickness ≥ 0.3mm, Weight > 150g, Bleached & Coated = 4811.51.20"
🔹 "25% US Tariff is Real, Plan Your Route, Don't Get Caught Off Guard!"
📌 Pro Tip:
If your paper is sourced from Vietnam, Mexico, or Thailand, you may be eligible for Tariff Exemptions or Lower Duties under USMCA or other FTAs.
Apply for Advance Rulings with US Customs (CBP) to secure classification certainty before shipment.
📣 Act Now:
📞 Contact a licensed customs broker + Provide Lab Reports for Thickness/Weight + Verify Origin
🚀 Ensure Smooth Clearance, Avoid Delays, Maximize Profit Margins!
✨ Professional Clearance Starts with Accurate Classification!
💼 Every percentage point of tax matters!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) — Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) — More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) — Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) — Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate — The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate — Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties — Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.